Dr. Gavin Harewood, MD

Dr. Gavin Harewood, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care at his clinic in Vero Beach, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), he's committed to fostering lifelong digestive health. Your gastroenterologist is your primary partner in lifelong digestive health, creating personalized plans for prevention, coordinating crucial screenings, and managing the wellness of your entire digestive system—from esophagus to liver—to keep you feeling your best for years to come. He serves all ages and is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, ensuring patients feel empowered to actively participate in their health journey. To confirm if Dr. Harewood is currently accepting new patients, please call (772) 299-3511.

Dr. Gavin Harewood, MD is a gastroenterologist in Vero Beach, FL with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from Mayo Clinic in 2002 and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. With a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, he brings a deep understanding of Gastrointestinal issues to his patients and their families. Dr. Harewood is affiliated with medical facilities Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and Centracare-St. Cloud Hospital, further strengthening his commitment to providing comprehensive care. He is dedicated to a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health, focusing on prevention and proactive management of digestive issues. Dr. Gavin Harewood provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Gavin Harewood is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Gavin Harewood can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Gavin Harewood provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Gallstones: Regular check-ups and screenings can help detect gallstones early, enabling timely intervention and preventing the need for more invasive procedures down the line.
• Intestinal Ulcer: Managing underlying conditions like Crohn's disease or H. pylori infection is crucial in preventing intestinal ulcers and ensuring a healthy digestive system.
• Noninfectious Gastroenteritis and Colitis: Protecting your digestive health starts with understanding noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis – early detection and management can prevent serious complications and improve your long-term well-being.
• Enteritis: Managing underlying conditions like inflammatory bowel disease can significantly reduce your risk of developing enteritis and its associated problems.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where fat builds up in your liver, often linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices, and early detection through regular checkups can help prevent serious complications like cirrhosis.
• Gastrointestinal Malabsorption: Preventing long-term health issues from gastrointestinal malabsorption starts with understanding your risk factors and seeking medical attention if you experience symptoms like unexplained weight loss or diarrhea; early diagnosis allows for timely intervention.
• Duodenitis: Duodenitis, inflammation of your duodenum (the first part of your small intestine), can be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle to reduce your risk of developing this often manageable condition.
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Lifestyle choices like a balanced diet and avoiding excessive alcohol can significantly reduce your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and support overall digestive health.
• Liver Damage from Alcohol: Alcohol-related liver damage can be serious, but by adopting a preventative approach that includes lifestyle modifications and screenings, you can minimize the risks and protect your liver and digestive well-being.
• Hepatorenal Syndrome: Early detection of liver disease is crucial in preventing hepatorenal syndrome, a life-threatening condition affecting both the liver and kidneys.
• Ileus: Early detection of ileus, through awareness of symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating, is crucial to prevent serious complications like infection or bowel damage.
• Alcoholic Fatty Liver: Protecting your liver starts with mindful drinking; alcoholic fatty liver disease is preventable, and early detection through regular checkups can help stop it from progressing to more severe liver damage.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Gavin Harewood offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is a proactive step in maintaining digestive health. This procedure screens for colorectal cancer and other colon conditions, allowing for prompt treatment.
• Duodenal Polypectomy: For comprehensive digestive health management, duodenal polypectomy helps identify and remove polyps in your duodenum, a proactive approach to preventing potential complications like cancer.
• Endoscopy: Protecting your digestive health starts with an endoscopy, which provides detailed images of your entire digestive tract, enabling early detection and treatment of a wide range of issues.
• Fecal Impaction Removal: Taking proactive steps to remove fecal impaction helps maintain a healthy digestive system and avoids potential long-term health problems.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a simple procedure that allows your doctor to examine your lower colon for polyps and other abnormalities, helping prevent colorectal cancer.
• Manometry: Take a proactive step towards digestive health with manometry: this test helps assess the function of your digestive muscles, allowing for early detection and treatment of issues like acid reflux or swallowing difficulties, preventing future problems.
• Rigid Proctosigmoidoscopy: A rigid proctosigmoidoscopy is a brief procedure that allows your doctor to directly examine your rectum and lower colon for polyps, inflammation, or other abnormalities, helping to detect colorectal cancer early.
• Sigmoidoscopy: Taking charge of your colon health starts with a sigmoidoscopy, a simple test that screens for precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer, often preventing these conditions from developing.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Gastroenterology in Florida.

Dr. Gavin Harewood is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By adhering to a proactive screening schedule, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing gallstones, gaining peace of mind and avoiding potentially more extensive procedures later on.
• By proactively managing underlying conditions like Crohn's disease, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing intestinal ulcers, achieving peace of mind and a healthier digestive system.
• By understanding the triggers and proactively managing their diet and stress levels, a patient significantly reduced their instances of noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis, achieving improved digestive health and overall well-being.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Gastrointestinal care with Dr. Gavin Harewood:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Harewood and our gastroenterology team are specialists in the health of your digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. We are experts in diagnosing and treating conditions, and in performing preventive screenings such as colonoscopies.

When should I get my first screening colonoscopy?

For average-risk individuals, routine screening colonoscopies are now recommended to begin at age 45. However, individuals with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Harewood will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

What is 'fatty liver disease' and is it serious?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a very common condition often linked to metabolic issues like obesity and diabetes. Fortunately, in its early stages, it can often be reversed with lifestyle changes. However, managing it is crucial to prevent potential progression to more serious liver damage like cirrhosis.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat, triggers damage to the small intestine. It's different from a simple gluten sensitivity, and a proper diagnosis from a gastroenterologist is crucial before starting a gluten-free diet.

What is the difference between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is an autoimmune condition causing inflammation and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), on the other hand, is a functional disorder causing symptoms like cramping and bloating without visible inflammation or damage.

Are there non-colonoscopy options for colon cancer screening?

While at-home stool-based tests like Cologuard® or FIT are available, a colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening and prevention. If these tests are positive, a colonoscopy is necessary to further investigate and remove any detected polyps.

How do you manage chronic conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis?

We partner with patients to achieve and maintain remission of chronic conditions like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. This involves advanced therapies to control inflammation, personalized nutritional guidance, and regular monitoring to prevent flare-ups and improve quality of life. We strive for a long-term, collaborative approach.

What are colon polyps, and are they dangerous?

Colon polyps are small, non-cancerous growths in the colon. However, some types can potentially develop into cancer over time. A colonoscopy is a crucial procedure to find and remove these polyps before they have a chance to become cancerous, effectively preventing the disease.

3450 11th Ct Ste 206
Vero Beach FL 32960
Phone: (772) 299-3511

Dr. Gavin Harewood, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1255317285

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Gastroenterology like Dr. Gavin Harewood are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your gastroenterology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.